Lei’s boyfriend smiled sweetly, promising her a surprise. He beguiled with his handsome face, his bright blue eyes and shinning hair. She opened the door. SHE let death in. The murderer? Travis Berkley……her boyfriend.

Twenty One of their sorority sisters were terrorized and brutally murdered that night. Each girl so shell shocked that none fought back. None noticed when Emma hid. Neither did Travis. Lei wasn’t so lucky. Travis had beaten the hell out of her and left her locked in a room until he was done. Nowhere for her to hide – she literally jumps out the window. Despite the carnge, Lei Zhang and Emma Nilsson survived that night.

Twelve years later….Lei tracks down bodies of the missing with her canine sidekick Saul and Emma is a hacker with her own furry companion, Prince. They live in a home is a veritable fortress meant to keep everyone out.

Now three sorority girls have been murdered in an eerily similar pattern. Two more left almost at their doorstep with a note to Lei. The message is loud and clear, he’s coming to finish the job with Lei and Emma next on the list. How can that be when Travis is in jail? A copycat? Or did Travis have a partner in crime?

Enter Special Agents Dante Young and Clark Rowan (female despite her name). They understand each other and their banter is quite entertaining. Dante is immediately drawn to Lei and she to him – but please understand – this is a murder suspense mystery and the romance is a side story.

Each character has a part to play. You won’t find superfluous descriptions of the quiet green leafy forest here. The story moves along rapidly and the suspense ratchets up quickly. The killer is clever, very clever and always two steps ahead of the police. As the killer gets closer it is a race against time with the lives of Lei and Emma at the center of this deadly cat and mouse game.

I’m speaking from experience, when I say, a dark hotel room when you’re away on vacation may not be the best place to finish this book. My heart was in my throat.

It turns out that I had read a book by Katee Robert before called “Wrong Bed, Right Guy”, a sexy and entertaining New Adult romance. This story is completely different. I love it when an author tries a different genre and does it successfully, as done here with The Surviving Girls. A really good page turner that kept me interested with its WOW twist and turns until the very last page.

This was ok. The concept was good, characters were well fleshed out and the conclusion was satisfying.

Why so low a rating then? It took sooooo long to get to the conclusion. The inner dialogue could have been skipped or reigned in at least. Looking back at the series of events not enough took place, beyond the initial drama, to stretch the story to that length. The romance was a bit silly. It seemed out of place and unbelievable considering the surviving girl’s background (Lei).

I will try this author again but switch to the romance genre for which she receives such praise.

Thank you to NetGalley, Montlake Romance, and the author, Katee Robert for a free copy of this in exchange for a review.

This was a great premise for a suspense, but the main characters of the story were so flat I had no interest in them. I skipped to the end because I had to know who the killer was but even at the end, I couldn't find any interest for the victims.

The Surviving Girls kept me guessing until almost the end. The story sucks you in, and keeps you there the entire time. The reader comes to sympathize with Lei and Emma. It is interesting to see how two people who lived through an extremely brutal situation react in different ways, but remain committed to keeping each other safe and as sane as possible. If you are a fan of mystery/thrillers this book is for you. The twists and turns kept coming throughout the entire story. As soon as you think you've got it figured out something else happens to cause you to question your reasoning.

The only negative remark I have about the story is that the climax happens so quickly. It's roughly 200 pages of build up and then the resolution takes place in roughly 30 pages. I would have loved that part to have taken a bit longer, but in the end I'm still satisfied with the outcome and ultimate conclusion to the story.

Lei and her friend Emma were the only two survivors of the Sorority Row Massacre. Twelve years later, they live together in a house that is more like a fortress that is surrounded by woods. Lei and Emma have a business together. They search for the missing because no one should stay lost. Lei trains cadaver dogs and Emma works behind the scenes on her computer. Emma and Lei may have survived but they aren't living. Their only consolation is the killer, Travis Berkley, is sitting behind bars in prison. Or is he??? More sorority girls were killed and it looked very similar towhat happen to Lei and Emma all those years ago. Not to mention Lei and Emma received a box of "souvenirs" in the mail after the killing. Is it a copycat?

I loved this book. It had so many twists and turns. I couldn't put it down. I kept suspecting everyone as the new sorority killer, even some of the police officers. The book is definitely a mystery with some added romance. Clarke and Young make for perfect partners. The book is CREEPY!!! The killer is able to get into their house without anyone noticing, even with all the cameras and safety precautions. What Lei found in their safe room upstairs would of had me leaving and staying in a hotel surround by police until the killer was caught. Eventually I was able to figure out what was happening with Travis and how he was able to do it. He was one crazy guy. I liked the characters, story line and writing style.

I definitely recommend the book and look forward to reading more by the author (especially the Hidden Sins series)!!

Thanks to NetGalley, Montlake Romance and the author, Katee Robert, for a free electronic ARC of this novel.

A complete page turner. Brilliantly written with wonderful characters and a superb story line. Highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a great read.

The Surviving Girls was an exciting, fast-paced read with an interesting plot and a fantastic set of characters.

Twelve years ago Lei Zhang and Emma Nilsson were the only survivors of the Sorority Row Murders that left twenty-one girls dead. While Lei and Emma made it out with their lives, the trauma of that night has never left them. Now Lei and Emma run a search and rescue group that aims to find other victims and give their families closure. When a new set of murders occur with startling similarities to the Sorority Row Murders, Lei and Emma are pulled back into a killer’s twisted game. With the FBI on the case, it’s just a matter of time until the killer is caught or Lei and Emma wind up dead.

Lei and Emma both coped with the trauma of that night twelve years ago in different ways, but one thing they both agree on is that it made their friendship stronger. Lei is the more direct of the two and spends a lot of time caring for Emma despite Lei being just as messed up. Lei is the on the ground part of their search and rescue business with her dog Saul. Emma is agoraphobic and is obsessed with the security of their home and ensuring nothing bad ever happens to them again. She has also become a whiz on the computer and created a computer program that assists Lei with her searches in the field.

There are two FBI agents assigned to the copycat case, Dante and Clarke, and I felt the two worked well together with their differing styles. Clarke is much more direct and in your face while Dante comes across as more laid back and by the book. The romance that develops between Dante and Lei felt like it came out of nowhere, but I wasn’t bothered by it. It added some nice moments to a few scenes while not detracting from the suspense storyline.

The copycat killings and the hunt for the killer were a fantastic suspense storyline that I enjoyed quite a bit. The author does a great job showing how sadistic the killer can be while pulling you in and making you want to know more. There was a surprising amount of detail of the murders but it never felt overly graphic or gratuitous. The FBI involvement in the case felt well done but for me I found the investigating Lei and Emma were doing to be more interesting. The ending was quite unexpected and I never would have guessed the path the author chose to take.

The Surviving Girls was the first book I’ve read from this author and I will absolutely pick up more books from her in the future. I definitely want to read the first two books in the Hidden Sins series.

OMG this book was so good! I've read the other books in the series, but this was by far my favorite! Lei and Emma are survivors of a horrible spree killer, and twelve years later, a copycat series of murders brings them back to the night they've tried to forget. The two have an unshakable bond, but the way they've coped is really night and day. it was very interesting to see how differently they handle things, but are in a way so alike. The plot was fast paced and intricate, and it took me a while to figure it out.
I would very much recommend this to anyone who likes mysteries or thrillers.

I received an advanced copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have read the other two books in the series, so I am familiar with the author. This is a stand-alone book that has a couple of overlapping supporting characters from previous books, but can be read completely on its own. The story revolves around two survivors of a massacre who are being hunted again. I appreciated the realistic viewpoints and motives of these survivors- trying to balance between being strong and wanting to breakdown. As the story progresses, you start to get a feeling for the twist but it was still shocking how it plays out. For me, this was a good suspense story but the romance side of things felt a little forced. It would have been a good read without it. There wasn't much in the way of building up on the romantic storyline, so it seemed rushed and unnecessary. I probably liked the first story in the series the best. However, I still enjoyed the story and look forward to the next one!

It’s been over a decade since the Sorority Row murders left 21 young women dead. Lei Zhang and her friend Emma were the only two survivors of that terrible night when Lei’s boyfriend went on a murderous rampage. Now, they spend their time helping other victims of violent crime cope with their pain and fear. Then a deranged copycat begins tormenting Lei and Emma, seemingly determined to make sure the two women meet the same fate their sorority sisters did all those years before. FBI agent Dante Young is assigned the task of anticipating the copycat’s next move, while keeping Lei and Emma safe. Feelings grow between Lei and Dante as they struggle to unmask a killer before it’s too late

Really good fast paced mystery! After surviving a massacre twelve years earlier, Lei and Emma have made a good life for themselves. Then sorority girls are murdered near them and a cat and mouse game with the killer begins.

Twists and turns fill this book and while there is a romantic element to it, the primary focus is on the mystery. Number three in a series, it reads as a standalone and I never felt like I was missing anything.

I do wish some questions had been answered in more detail near the end, but I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a good thriller.

Many thanks to the publisher for a review copy via NetGalley.

I loved this book. The start of the book was very intense. The characters were people you would actually like to meet and I loved the rescue dogs. Very well written mystery and a great ending

This is my first book by this author, Katee Robert. Even though this is the 3rd book in this series, I don't think I missed anything by not reading the first 2 books. I liked this storyline and it kept me guessing until the end. It grabbed me from page 1 but then it started to drag and I found myself skimming through pages. Overall, I give it 3 stars. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me review this book early. All opinions expressed are my own.

First thoughts after reading.
Goes off to find info on serial killers.
There are 25-50 active serial killers in the US at any given moment. Right now.
Phew, good I don’t live in the US.
But…
Currently in Germany there are 8 active serial killers. Alright so I know I’m not exactly doomed and I am more likely to get run over by a bus. Yet with that I am repelled and fascinated all at the same time. My paranoia is currently on high speed.
The Surviving Girls is exactly what I needed to give me some excitement.
The Characters & Chemistry
Lei is coping with her life after surviving a serial killer, she takes the blame and is now trying to even the balance as having one of the very few cadaver dogs she is of the opinion that no one should stay missing forever.  I agree.
Lei runs head first into trouble to deal with her fear but it will be controlling that fear that she will need to have tight control on her fear. Lei is a strong heroine with a spine of steel, her past could have been her ruin but she got up and fought and is still fighting. She is no damsel in distress but knows when to ask for help, has a certain vulnerability to her and isn’t TSTL. I repeat she isn’t TSTL.
Dante & his partner Clarke are called to a murder in Seattle where certain similarities arise with an older case. Dante is cool and reserved and comes across as being too cold. He comes from money and has always stuck out within the FBI. I liked Dante more than I liked Lei but I always seem to like the Hero more. Dante is strong, silent type and goes above and beyond for Lei & Emma.
There is good underlying chemistry between Lei & Dante. They make out a couple of times but in the face of danger they don’t get to smexy times which you know actually makes sense. How many suspense books have you read where they have time to have sex although they are on the run from a serial killer etc?
The Writing & Plot.
Lei & Emma are the two surviving girls of the Sorority Row Killer that happened about twelve years ago. They are co-dependent on one another, they bonded on a truly awful experience. And have been inseparable ever since. Especially when no one believed them when they knew exactly who the killer was. They used to be happy and normal. But to their family and friends they don’t fit into that box anymore. So they take a different route and find missing people.
But their fort and bubble are about to be burst. A new set of serial murders similar to the others but not quite has everyone reeling. The Seattle police, the BAU, Lei & Emma are always three steps behind the serial killer.
For a couple of pages I had an inkling of what and where the twist was going but I chucked my theory out the window but damn I was so close. But there is one thing I didn’t take into account. My lips are sealed, it is for you to read the book and find out.
The author gives a suspenseful, nail biting read full of emotions. It has highs and lows where the characters feel guilt, terror and fear. I can’t give it the full 5 stars as although it is action packed, pace wise it is a tad drawn out. IMO at least.
The Verdict.
I love the Hidden Sins series and can only recommend all three books.

Katee Robert - you have outdone yourself with this book in this series. This is my favorite book so far in this series. I couldn't stop reading (while I was awake). Hell, my brain even had me dreaming of this book.

The Surviving Girls gave me chills at so many points in this book - it was written that damn good. I got this sense that I was right there with these characters as this unwound this twisted path they were thrown onto.

I won't give any details because you need to read this one blind (aside from the blurb). Lei and Emma survived that same brutal killings their friends unfortunately didn't. But they both have moved on in different ways, but together.

But when a copycat killer starts things back up, they are thrown back into the thick of things. And even though it's been over 10 years since they went through that whole ordeal, everything comes rushing back to them.

Katee wrote a very strong and intriguing plot. This book moves at the perfect pace; while everything may only happen in a few days time, it all makes sense and never feels rushed in any way.

The twists and turns are brought about very cleverly and she leaves just enough bread crumbs to string you along. I have so many different ideas as to who, what, why, how things happened. While I was right on one thing, it was how it played out that I was totally baffled on.

Bravo Katee for writing another amazing suspenseful read. You have this knack for writing books that keep your readers engaged and immensely emerged in the story.

If you haven't read any of Katee's books yet, I highly recommend giving this series a go!


Side Note - let me clarify something on all these books and it's something that I have come to realize after now reading the third book. These books are classified as romantic suspense but there is very little romance in them; however due to the fact that there is some romance in them and due to standards, it can't be listed as just a suspense/thriller. So please do not go into these books hoping for a lot of romance - it is definitely a subplot that is not really developed too much in the book, which I find to a be a great thing. The suspense and thrill are what really drives these books home.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah – ☆☆☆☆
This is not a book to read while home alone! Twelve years after surviving a serial killer’s rampage that took the lives of twenty-one sorority sisters, Lei and Emma live in a self-made fortress in the Washington woods. The women’s world is shaken for a second time when the original murders are recreated and the killer starts playing twisted games with their minds.

The investigation is led by FBI BAU agents Dante and Clarke. I liked that I initially suspected everyone except for Emma and Lei and I liked that this is a story where I was able to piece together clues alongside the characters – though it did annoy me that I guessed the murderer’s identity too early. I also liked the three strong women at the heart of this book. Lei and Emma use their skills to stay ahead of the murderer and Dante’s partner, Clarke, is wonderfully fierce and unpredictable.

A romance runs alongside the investigation as Dante and Lei fight their attraction to each other. For me, the romance is the only part of this book that doesn’t work. Lei is too much of a professional and too much of a badass for me to believe that she’d ever allow a romance to compromise her safety.

This is a scary story. It moves fast, and I enjoyed the twists and turns that kept me guessing. There are elements of horror here – Emma and Lei are stalked, teased, and taunted in a way that had me jumpy and properly terrified at times. I really enjoyed this book, but it would be best read in bright sunshine in a heavily populated space.

5 How Safe Are They Really Stars!!!

I’ve been consumed by this series from the minute I started this series. In this final book of the series, Ms. Robert has completely and totally upped her game as a romantic suspense author. I literally had heart palpitations and a fluttering stomach with each horrifying detail we experienced both in Lei and Emma’s memories of the Sorority Row Murders in which they were the only survivors, but with the new murders taking place that are seemingly almost identical to that horrifying night….or are they.

Soon the BAU sends agents Dante and Clark to their tiny town to investigate what’s really going on. There are some twist and turns that our story takes that had me gasping with the intensity of the situation these girls live in. To make things just that much more interesting, Lei and her cadaver dog Saul help the police find victims that have gone missing while Emma searches the dark-net to ensure that each missing person isn’t left behind.

There’s a draw between Dante and Lei but given the case and the fear that Lei has lived with for the last twelve years, there’s obstacles in their way that could prevent them from exploring their attraction. The least of which is the reliance both Emma and Lei have on each other. While to some this might be considered suffocating, given what’s happened to them, it’s completely understandable.

As the story progresses, things become incredibly intense and there’s new evidence that is shocking and had me wide-eyed and gasping because it puts an entirely new light on what’s happened in the past.

Here’s what I know, this book is on the same level as some of the best suspense writers out there and with Ms. Robert’s ability to draw the reader in with her attention to the minutest details of each scene we NEVER see the “who did it” coming….at least I didn’t! This is a book that makes you want to double and triple check your doors and windows because you just never know who’s watching you!!!

#TheSurvivingGirls #KateeRobert #LeiLei #TapTapTap #SororityRowMurders #TheirLivesAreForeverChanged #SaulAndPrince #INEVERSawThatComing #NailBitingRead
#RomanticSuspense #MustRead

The Surviving Girls toes the line between romantic suspense and a thriller. There is certainly a romance between Dante and Lei (a really good, really sexy one mind you) but the suspense elements are bumped up a notch from your typical romantic suspense read. Whereas most romantic suspense books are a bit far-fetched, this book is utterly realistic. Lei's situation and past is the stuff of nightmares and although the storyline may be unlikely, Robert wrote the action in a way that played directly on a few of my deepest fears. The Surviving Girls made my skin crawl in the best possible way.

Lei is one of the mentally strongest heroines I've ever read. She's been through hell and back and she still chooses to persevere. Although she may have dated a murderer in the past, she has made a life for herself along with her best friend. They run a business and Lei even dates occasionally. Dante is no match for the last of the defenses around her heart, though. When he shows up at her doorstep working a case related to her personal nightmare that happened years and years ago, he sees the strength in her and doesn't look at her in pity.

Dante is everything you could want from an FBI Agent hero. He's grounded, strong, and totally in tune with his reactions and emotions. So when he finds himself attracted to Lei, despite being on the job, he's torn between his responsibility and the unfettered interest he has in Lei as a person. The two of them heat up the pages, even when they are trying to track a killer.

I'm not sure how she does it, but Katee Robert consistently puts out captivating, suspenseful, and utterly delightful books. Consider me bewitched because there is nothing she would write that I wouldn't one-click!

This book was all about rebuilding a life. The way Lei and Emma got on after that incident. But it doesn't stop there. Twelve years later and there are a few girls murdered in the same manner and they belonged to the same sorority. Lei and Emma are alerted and they have been asked to help the investigating officers. Is it a copycat who is doing this or was there an accomplice who has come out of the woods twelve years later? A lot of questions come up, and they get answered as the investigation progresses.

What did I like about the book - the plot, of course? The characters, especially Emma and Lei, their determination to survive and help others. I did feel the pace of the book could have been better.

I love Katee Robert and this series. This book especially creeped me out. There was never a dull or slow moment. The plot was so convoluted and interconnected and malevolent. I couldn't put it down and was up until 2:00am trying to finish it. The tension had built so much that I couldn't handle not knowing what was about to happen. Dante and Lei were definitely not the typical romantic suspense couple, and the storyline necessitated a slow burn between them, but I loved them nonetheless. I really need to get a story for Emma and Clarke now. I definitely know who I want to see Emma with, but who knows what might happen for her? I hope I get to find out.

Net Galley provided an ARC.